Dale Ryder Pete Murray Jennifer Down Sofia

Communication 101 The E.E.C Formula of giving feedback Life Skills 101 How To Pack A Suitcase QFR How Can I Live Between 2 Cultures? Special Feature How To Have a Face-to- Face Conversation?

DALE RYDER PETE MURRAY SOFIA BUCKINGHAM JENNIFER DOWN WHAT SO NOT SINGER / SONGWRITER SINGER / SONGWRITER SINGER / SONGWRITER AUTHOR ELECTRONIC MUSIC PROJECT

This publication whether in print or DISCLAIMER JUNE 2018 online is not for sale. It is published The information in Hashtag Oz is made available for information purposes only and is not intend- to provide a platform for youths to ed to be a substitute for professional, medical, legal advice or treatment. Furthermore, the accuracy, currency and completeness of this information is not warranted or showcase their work and voice in guaranteed. The Hashtag Oz magazine does not accept any liability for an injury, loss or damage order to empower and give young incurred by the use of, or reliance on the information therein. people the confidence to become contributory members of society All student submissions, editorials and achievements are protected by copyright and used for in the creation of their lives NOW. Hashtag Oz magazine ONLY. Front cover title: Artist: Tania Chanter Melbourne, Australia www.taniachanter.com @taniachanter We have a jam-packed June issue just for you!

And Hashtag Oz Publishing Pty Ltd is actively collaborating with Bayou Blue Productions. This means more opportunities for you in Australia and Europe!

Such exciting times.

Hashtag Oz had the opportunity to see British India in action on the 12th at the Pelly Bar in Frankston. Totally amazing experience with the Ingrid Seger-Woznicki boys and it was a good crowd too. CEO

June’s issue has amazing talents of Dale Ryder, Pete Murray, Tania Chanter, Kristen Wehlow, Locomotive, Perch Creek, What So Not, James Langton, Jennifer Down, Emma Jassy, Jordyn Hatchley and Shane Presler. DESIGN

There are our monthly features in Communication 101, Life Skills 101, Tracey Edgell Creative designer/photographer QFR and Our Book Review by Emma Dennin and a very special feature by Cheryl Little. Annabella Burdon Creative Designer We, at Hashtag Oz, recognize that life can be very stressful and busy. Michael Chanter To stop that inner train in your mind, requires a conscious effort. Take Creative Design Editor the time in June to set aside aside an hour a day just for you to unwind, relax and nurture your soul. EDITORIAL Wake up every morning and train your mind to focus on three things Cheryl Little you are very grateful for and ponder deeply on them. Feature Writer/Photographer

Most of all, treat life as a gift and have a fabulous June xoxo. Aramys Russo Psychologist

MAGAZINE LAYOUT & WEBSITE DESIGN Red Bilby www.redbilby.com.au

Hashtag Oz Publishing Pty Ltd ABN 74 625 056 411 Telephone 0418 565 515 Website www.hashtagoz.com.au Advertising sales [email protected] Submissions [email protected] Questions/feedback [email protected] QFR [email protected]

4 Hashtag Oz Magazine is happy to announce that Bayou Blue Productions and Hashtag Oz Publishing Pty Ltd have formed a collaborative partnership. This professional relationship is a great opportunity for our followers and readers.

Bayou Blue Productions is a non-profit organization providing services for artists (mostly musical, but also visual) in France and beyond. Our international services include Bayou Blue Radio: www.bayoublueradio.com.

If you would like to be on our radio station, listen to us first. If you feel like you fit into our vibe, send your EPs or albums to [email protected] for programming consideration. We sometimes do album reviews for French publications as well (Blues & Co, Paris Move, etc).

31 - 32 | How To Prepare and 20 - 21 | Kristen Wehlow 36 Endure an Interview, Liv Madison Director at RAW 46 - 47 | How To Have a Face-to- PHOTOGRAPHY Face Conversation, Cheryl Little 15 - 18 | Jordyn Hatchley 48 | COMMUNICATION 101 26 - 28 | Emma Jassy The E.E.C Formula of Giving Feedback INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES 63 - 65 | LIFE SKILLS 101 How To Pack A Suitcase 7 | 19 | 22 | 25 | 30 | 40

41 53 - 55 | QUESTION FROM READERS How Can I Live Between 2 Cultures Cari Ari HELPLINES

63 | THE BRAVE PROGRAM

BEYOND BLUE 1300 22 4636 59 THE BUTTERFLY FOUNDATION 1800 33 4673 Photo by Mohamed Nohassi on Unsplash7 Wangaratta High 14th June www.rockfest.net.au “Getting paid to have people Dale Ryder burst onto the Australian Music scene back in 1986 as the lead singer of Boom Crash Opera. Their self-titled listen to what I debut album went Gold and spent more than 12 months have to sing is in the Top 40 achieving double platinum sales. Hashtag Oz spoke with Dale about life and the music business. a blessing.”

Dale always wanted to be a singer. He remembers So that’s the best thing about being in the music begging to sing at family gatherings as a five year old. business - you get paid for doing what you love. So Belting out Herman’s Mermit tunes in his high squeeky what’s the worst thing? “Apart from the usual things voice gave him a taste of singing to an audience and that plague people in the music industry - bad fuelled his desire to be a singer. His fantasies revolved managers, bad gigs, becoming redundant - the face around being on stage with the likes of Santana and of music has changed so much over the last decade Stevie Wonder. “I was pretty caught up in it. That’s that it’s a real concern.” probably why I’ve got no work ethic whatsoever,” he jokes. None the less, Dale would still encourgage a young person to follow their dreams, if that’s where their Dale never stopped singing and before long he was passion lies. “But be prepared not to make much getting paid to do what he loved. Something that he money, at least to begin with, and use every avenue still appreciates. “Getting paid to have people listen to possible to advance yourself. Practise, network, what I sing is a blessing.” listen and learn.”

9 Dale was born in Madras, India and moved to Australia when he was eleven. He spent some of his schooling Life is attending a Catholic boarding school, “ which left him with issues he had to incredibly hard. work through. “Forgiving yourself and realising many of the things you Life is awful. expereince as a child are out of your You really have control is an important part of moving forward in life.” to pull yourself

Dale believes the problems young out of it. people face today aren’t all that ” different to those experienced by his generation, however the problems are compounded by the lnternet and social media. “In the old days if you were being bullied at school you just went home and got away from it. Now you just can’t get away from it and seventeen people at once can talk to you and bully you. I find that incredibly bad. There is a lot of negativity involved with social media and it’s a real concern.”

Dale’s advice to young people is to make sure you have an open and honest relationship with your parents. Don’t be embarrassed to talk about any changes you may be going through because, quite likely, your parents will have dealt with similar issues.

“In short, get to know yourself. Don’t become a victim. Life is incredibly hard and awful. You have to really pull yourself out of it. There’s no easy way. Everyone goes through it. You have to be prepared to slog it out.”

Follow Dale Ryder: https://www.instagram.com/daleryder/ https://www.facebook.com/Dale-Ryder-Voice- of-Boom-Crash-Opera-151903004856471/ https://www.facebook.com/dale.ryder.7

10 A Chat with Pete Murray about his music, tour and life

WITH HIS first three albums reachING number 1 on the Australian music charts, over one million in record sales and several aria award nominations, PETE MURRAY is truly an aussie music success story.

Do you feel successful in life? I travelled, I backpacked overseas. I was over there I do. For me I’ve always made decisions based on and learned the guitar with buskers. When I came lifestyle, so when I took up music it was for lifestyle, home I wondered what job I could do and get paid for because I wanted a job where I could travel the world it. So I was still trying to find that ‘thing’. Once I decid- and have fun playing. I started studying Natural ed to do music it all fell into place. I thought to myself, medicine, which would proba- “This is it, this is something I can do. bly have taken me to opening “Success for some people I can travel the world and do some- my own clinic, dealing with thing I love.” I didn’t think I’d earn a everyone’s problems, but is having lots of money, lot of money, but just enough to get not getting out and seeing by to travel. the world. When I started but for me I don’t see studying medicine I thought I started working in a health club this would be great. I was a things like that.” while I was studying, which was pret- sportsman myself. I used to ty good, but I wondered what every- do athletics and play rugby, and I wanted to work with one else was doing in the world. To be successful you sports men and women. I thought to myself “for me need to be happy with what you do, so it doesn’t actu- this is great, I’ll get my own clinic and have a doctor ally feel like a job. Success for some people is having and physio and do natural medicine myself, and work lots of money, but for me I don’t see things like that. with people with injuries”. Then I picked up the guitar and everything changed.

11 Did you sit down and develop a career plan, or I listened to it from start to finish and realised it is did it just happen? actually a great album! It’s the first time I could relax and feel like I’m really pleased with the album. I didn’t plan at first. Once I knew what I wanted to When you’re close to your own art and your own self do, then I started to plan that out. I was in my mid image, it’s really difficult, but once you stop analysing 20s when I first started studying natural medicine, it, then you realise “that sounds great”, or “That looks then I discovered a guitar and thought “This is great, good.” That’s the secret, give yourself space. I would really love to do this,” but I thought I would have to practice and learn how to write songs. Once What advice would you give a young person I knew that you could earn money with music, and starting out in the music industry? travel, I decided I would have to write my own music and lyrics, rather than play covers because you can’t earn 1. Understand how the business works, that’s the enough money just playing covers. That’s how you’d make smartest thing you can do. Don’t just trust that you’ll a living. I went “Here we go, that’s what I want to do.” have a good manager or lawyer who will look after you. You need to know what you’ll make financially. I did get to the point at one If you don’t make money when stage where I thought I would “the three things you you’re successful, there’s a very have to go back and finish good chance you won’t get the my studies, because it wasn’t need to be successful opportunity again.You need to working. When you set your understand how the business works goals and know what you want ... are persistence, from the start. to do in life, it’s important persistence to have small goals, in order 2. Try to work with honest people. to reach your final goal. Also persistence.” Do your research. Ask around about there’s a point that you need the people you are planning on to be aware of - always have a plan B that you can fall working with. Do they have a good reputation in the back on in case plan A doesn’t work. industry?’

When you’re starting out, how do you deal 3. Try to write the best stuff you can. When recording with that thought that most creative people make sure you don’t blow all your money on the have, ‘you don’t like your own stuff’? recording. If you’re an independent artist you need to keep enough money aside for promoting yourself.’ That can be tough. When we did ‘Feeler’ I had post- If you want to do it the right way you need to get a album blues. I couldn’t even listen to that album publicist on board. from start to finish for eight years. Every time I got to the second song I thought “I don’t like it,” and 4. Three things you need to be successful in the music turned it off. I was so surprised when the album was industry are persistence, persistence persistence. successful and everyone was listening to it. That was even harder for me because I thought “this isn’t What do you think is the biggest challenge to good enough, and yet this is what people like,” This maintaining a healthy lifestyle nowadays. is what’s representing me, which was a really difficult thing, and a lot of artists experience this. Even though Good healthy organic food, eat really well and know I was having success, I hated it more because this is what you’re eating. We’re involved in Music and what’s representing me. Movement Escapes. I’ve always been really healthy in the industry. I don’t drink a lot, always eat well, train and After 8 years I had Darren Middleton from keep fit - what you eat is really important part of that. Powderfinger ring me and tell me to listen to ‘Feeler’ Cut sugar out of your diet. I didn’t realise at night, I’d and what a great album it is. I was like ‘Wow,’ that’s sometimes have cereal and toast, mixed fruit and great hearing it from Darren. I thought to myself “I’ve fruit salads and it contained a lot of sugar. Cut down, got to listen to this album. It’s been eight years and I and the weight strips off you and you feel so much haven’t even listened to it.” better.

Follow Pete Muarray: PETE MURRAY’S AUSTRALIAN HEARTBEATS ACOUSTIC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/petemurray/ TOUR KICKS OFF ON THE 29TH OF JUNE, 2018. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/petemurraymusic/ 12 Tickets available via www.petemurray.com.au or www.oztix.com.au (phone number 1300 762 545)

13 14 PHOTO © M11 STUDIOS https://www.instagram.com/m11studios/

eet Jordyn Hatchley who at 13 years of age, discovered her love of photography via her dad’s hand me down iphone and now she is a reknowned photographer with RAW, a place for artists to be seen, heard and loved.

What sparked your interest in Photography? I can’t remember anything specifically, I just know I always loved it.

I remember being a young kid and taking many pictures of things everywhere I went. I suppose my dad used to take photo’s as a young guy, so maybe it was in my genes.

Are photographing weddings your favourite thing to shoot? In a round about way, yes. I mostly love to take photos of people. I like to make people my main point of focus and whenever I find myself without them I do struggle to take photos that actually mean something to me.

Weddings have a lot of those meaningful moments between people and I love to capture that.

Sometimes you feel like a fly on a wall, a part of something everyone else is missing out on.

15 If you were given the opportunity to photograph someone famous ,who would it be and why?

I’m not really the type that gets excited by famous people.

I think if I had to choose someone though, it would be Annie Leibovitz. For those who don’t know her, Annie is an American portrait photographer who has taken a multitude of celebrities portraits. She’s even photographed the Queen a few times.

I would love to chat to her about everyone she’s met, but what I love most is that she doesn’t claim to be a “technical photographer”.

She wants to capture their emotions, their story, their personality, rather than worry about what equipment to use. I feel like people get way to caught up on that. Are you a self-taught photographer or schooled or “Photography both? can be quite Both. I started off with my dad giving me some pointers, then I decide in year 10 to dive in and take photography as an early VCE subject. daunting

Since leaving school I have been slowly teaching myself and I because there am currently completing a diploma via online correspondence. is so much Being new to the profession what have you found to be the hardest in starting a business in Photography? competition out

I think starting a business in general is hard. there”.

Photography can be quite daunting because there is so much competition out there. I’ve found pricing my work to be really difficult.

You don’t ever want to sell yourself short, but it’s hard to know where you fit in the industry. I also think knowing where to start and what steps to take first is hard. I get overwhelmed very quickly.

What do you enjoy the most with the photography process? The taking of the photos? The editing? Presenting to clients?

I think it depends what I’m shooting. I love when I have creative freedom and can go out and shoot whatever I want. I find that’s really fun. Sometimes though, you have to take those jobs that pay the bills and they can be a little less fun. Editing can be great but when you’ve got 4,000 images to sort through and processing, you do get over it.

Do you have any advice for anyone wanting to start a business in Photography?

Do it. If you have a love for it, you should go for it.

It’s hard work and you’ll receive a lot of opinions and criticism so you need to love it enough to push through that stuff.

16 Most importantly, trust yourself. Advice is great, but you know yourself best.

Do you do any video work and if not is that something you would like to get into ?

I do, and have done in the past. My husband and I filmed a wedding just over a year ago now. It was awesome fun.

I prefer doing photography and I’d like to keep video as a hobby.

If you had the opportunity to travel anywhere in the world to take photographs, where would you go and why?

Right now I’m really interested in Iceland.

I think a lot of photographers would tell you that. It looks beautiful. So much natural beauty.

My husband has always wanted to do a roadtrip through Canada and I would be keen for that also. I’m mostly interested in exploring nature and seeing the natural wonders of the world.

How did you get involved RAW Melbourne Gallery?

I was lucky enough to receive an email from RAW saying they had come across my work online and wondered if I would like to get involved.

I’m so excited be a part of such an encouraging event. I’m also looking forward to meeting some like-minded friends and getting some feedback on my work.

What inspires you every day?

For my personal work I take a lot of inspiration from nature.

When it comes to starting up a business I’ve drawn a lot of inspiration from other artists of all kinds and close friends who are pushing themselves creatively.

Do you have a favourite photo and why?

I can’t say that I do. I have photos I remember being really proud of, and photos I look at and think “wow, I was so lucky so catch that moment”. But I don’t have a favourite yet. I feel that’s something I’m still working towards.

What three bits of advice would you give to your younger self?

I’’d probably give myself a bit of tough love:

1. Stop doubting yourself. 2. Don’t compare yourself to anybody else. 3. Push yourself.

17 What do you think of technology and social media’s impact on photography art?

I feel like technology has advanced so much that it’s turned everyone into a photographer. Most people can take great photos on their iPhones these days.

I think this has strained the industry to a degree and you’ve always got to offer your point of difference. That’s not necessarily a bad thing though.

Instagram has really helped make it so easy to put yourself out there. It’s a great way to create networks with fellow photographers and get feedback, too. It’s opened so many doors for me. Opportunities like this interview, for example.

What has been your greatest challenge that you have had to overcome as a photographer, and how did you overcome it?

My greatest challenge has been handing my work over to clients and hoping they’re happy with what I’ve done.

It’s hard to know if you’ve hit the brief sometimes. I’ve found it hard to promote my work, it’s like your you’re putting yourself on a platter for all to judge. That can be hard. I guess I still haven’t completely overcome this challenge but I am getting better at trusting myself and being more confident.

What kind of tools do you use for post processing? Explain your work flow.

Well once I’ve taken all my photos I’ll upload them onto my Mac. I’ll sort through them, and import my favourites into Lightroom.

Lightroom is an awesome tool and really easy to navigate. I spend time on each photo making sure skin tones are correct and the colours are complimentary.

I don’t recommend choosing a preset and then walking away. I think presets are great for getting you started but don’t stop there, try making the photos your own.

Whose work has influenced you most?

I’m influenced by a multitude of artists, particularly photographers. My favourites are the ones who really know how to capture emotions and moments.

People who can evoke feeling into their images. Amy Oliver is a big favourite of mine. She captures moments between young families and I think she’s great.

What is the one thing you wish you knew when you started taking photos?

Don’t be afraid to dive in. Invest whatever energy you’ve got. You can actually do this.

FOLLOW JORDYN HATCHLEY: http://www.jordyn-hatchley-rlm5.squarespace.com https://www.instagram.com/jordynhatchley https://www.facebook.com/jordynhatchley

Q&A with

Kristen Wehlow engaged in previously. Artists too love being a part of Director at RAW: natural born artists Australia a much larger and diverse community. What makes a good piece for a RAW showcase?

How did RAW get started? Anything. We actively try to encourage artists to showcase whatever THEY want, and not to set RAW was started in Los Angeles back in 2009 by Heidi definitions for them. Luerra - she was an emerging fashion designer and really struggled to find outlets where she could show What’s the coolest piece you’ve had? her work and get it out in front of the public. A lot of her friends were also artists of different kinds, so This is such a hard one to answer! We’ve been holding she decided to put on a multi-faceted event with her showcases in Australia since 2012 and have worked friends - designers, musicians, artists and beyond! And with literally thousands of artists, all doing such cool from there, RAW was born... things! One thing that does spring to mind is the wearable art one of our Brisbane artists, Julia Rose, Tell us about RAW -- what sort of created fully out of flowers/greenery - different mediums of work does RAW it was amazing to see these creations walking down the runway! represent? “We actively

We showcase artists of all kinds, from try and What type of medium/genre of art, visual art to photography to fashion and haven’t you hosted that you would accessories, designer, makeup artists, hair encourage like to? stylists, dancers, musicians, and beyond. Our events are a one-night creative It would be great to work with more explosion! artists to installation art pieces that the audience can interact with. The more immersive a RAW is very different to your regular showcase work is, the more the audience can really art gallery. It goes beyond paintings be moved by the experience. and into many different artistic whatever mediums. Because of this it is set up A lot of people say, especially young differently. Can you explain how this THEY want” people, “why go to a gallery they’ll works?’ be too expensive anyway?” - Do you feel RAW has been able to begin to We celebrate creativity as a whole, not with each change that thinking ? craft in a vacuum. Placing all these creative outlets and expressions on the same platform encourages audiences to explore areas they may not have been Art, like many things, is often a victim of people’s

20 perceptions. Art at its core is an expression of our humanity and once an audience member can relate to an artist on that level, it becomes less about money, and more about human connection. What value is placed on that is really arbitrary and many of our visual artists have works available at a range of prices because more than anything, they want people to be able to access their work.

What was the process for finding Australian ‘RAW’ talent?

We have a team of curators that spend every day seeking out new talent. From Instagram to live shows - we dig deep.

What was the reasoning behind RAW expanding to a global audience not just the USA?

RAW’s founder once lived in Australia when she was young and as RAW grew, she saw how artists in Australia needed this platform as much as those in the US did.

What would an Artist need to do to be considered for a RAW showcase?

It’s as easy as submitting your profile to our website www.RAWartists.org. Then one of our curators will view your submission and suitability for a showcase. If you’re an artist who wants to showcase, don’t think “I am not good enough” or “I am not ready” - jump in and submit!

What advice do you have for the youth of today whether it is as artists or entrepreneurs?

If you love and care about something then launch yourself 100% into it. Don’t look too hard at others around you, value what you do by the effort you have committed to it. Stay in the saddle and the rewards will come.

What is the most important thing you have learned working for RAW?

It’s amazing how many people in Australia have creative talents, passions and dreams. If we had better support, and if the community valued the arts more highly, we could be one of the great creative nations of the world. It’s a ongoing struggle but one which we hope we can play a small part in moving forward.

21 22 he ride to school was uneventful, as He was very proud of this piece. He usual. presented his argument through the eyes T of a lowly industrial worker, a simple man. Peter spent the entire 20 minutes He had three children and a pregnant reading his paper again. It was a poetic wife, that would create sympathy in the free verse response to industrial reader. He contrasted the organic peace corruption. He didn’t at home with the mechanical have to write a poem, He was very proud monsters at work. It was a but he liked to: poetry of this piece. He tragedy of circumstance, was his preferred form presented his of course, so it would end of writing. There was a argument through in disaster. He threw some alliteration in there too, just beauty to poetry that the eyes of a lowly other forms didn’t have; it for a bit of fun. was concise, yet powerful. industrial worker, a simple man. It was a good piece. As the He made it a personal bus pulled up to the school, challenge to write as many he stuffed the folder into his assignments as he could in poetry. It was backpack. Peter jumped out of his seat probably a huge nuisance to his teacher, and ran out of the bus. One of the bigger Ms Newcraft, but it wasn’t his concern.

23 students kicked out his foot, throwing Peter carefully reinserted the folder into Peter onto the gravel. his backpack. “Perhaps. What classes do you have on today?” “Move out of the way, moron.” “Well, English with you, then Maths. We’re “Aaron, I didn’t see you there,” said Peter, studying sine graphs today. Did you know trying to pick himself up. that you can measure the changes in Aaron flipped over the assignment in his ocean tide using the sine function?” hand. “No, nor do I particularly care. How’d “A lot of paper for a little stick figure. you find that? I thought you were a What’s this for? A Study fan of biology, not in Suck?” he said. “You are aware you’re meteorology.” Peter groaned and completely breaking “Why would I study reached for the folder. custom, asking a girl meteors?” asked “Give it back.” out?” Darwin. “I heard you were Peter sighed. “Just looking at Stacey in Maths again. Not google it. We’ve got five minutes to class.” cool,” Aaron said. Darwin smiled. “You’re going to ask her “You know I wouldn’t.” out, aren’t you?”

Aaron gripped Peter’s collar. “You better Peter grinned. “I’m thinking about it. not. Or else,” he said, dropping Peter on There’s only two weeks to the deb, may as the ground. well try to get my word in.”

Peter’s best friend, Darwin, raced over “You are aware you’re completely and helped him up. Darwin was an even breaking custom, asking a girl out?” skinnier, more socially inept version “Since when do you care about custom? of Peter, compete with glasses and an Besides, it’s not like you’ve had any girl obsession with science. Darwin wasn’t ask you out, right?” even his real name, but the nickname worked much better than his real name. Darwin looked down, embarrassed.

Peter groaned. “Thanks, man. Why is it “Yeah. Well, I may not have had my invite that the bad guys always get the girl?” yet, but I’m sure it’s coming,” he said.

“Probably because they’re bigger and “Sure.” said Peter. stronger. Chicks dig that.” “Whatever,” said Darwin.

Will Peter break custom and ask ‘her’ out? is it Stacey or is it somebody else? Will Darwin study despite everything?

Read July’s issue to read chapter 3.

24 Writing is painting of the voice

~ Voltaire ~

25 They’re young, ambitious and know what they are working How did you get together as a band? towards. Meet LocoMotive, a rockband from USA whose We started playing together at a neighbourhood members, made up of Bella Mariani (bass/vocals), Ethan music studio called Big Star Studios (in Snoqualmie, Horn (drums) and Ryan Horn (guitar), know how to make your Washington). heart beat faster and with their lyrics take you on a journey. There have been a few band changes along the way but the big turning point for us was when we decided to stop playing covers and write our own music. How long have you been playing together? It was a lot of fun until then but it became an absolute We started playing together in 2012 but have gone blast ever since. through a handful of changes over the years. We basically had to choose between making money The three-piece today has played exclusively together playing covers or having fun playing our own songs. It since 2015. Wow. Now that we say that and realize it’s was a pretty easy choice honestly. 2018, that’s kind of scary. Having some extra cash is kind of nice and all but the In no way does it feel like we’ve been doing shows for memories and friends we’ve collected along the way SIX years. We’re still pretty young when it comes to rock have been priceless. bands so that’s like a MAJOR portion of our lives. We highly encourage any other young bands considering a switch to original music to do it. You’ll Time flies when you’re having fun. never regret it! 26 What gigs/competitions/public performances have you done in the past?

We’ve had so much fun playing locally that we’ve never left the Seattle area.

We’ve been pretty lucky to have gotten the attention and support of the local rock community too.

Local adult bands have been super supportive and opened up a lot of doors for us.

We’ve been able to play almost every Seattle venue – Neumos, The Crocodile, Chop Suey, The Central Saloon and others but most of our shows have been at all-ages venues like Louie G’s, Vera Project, Old Fire House, etc.

We’ve also had a lot of fun during the summers (you know, when it doesn’t rain, hehe) because not only are we out of school but there are a lot of outdoor festivals like Fremont Solstice, Kirkland Uncorked, Issaquah Salmon Days, Rock Out ALS Fest, Redmond Derby Days and others. just brought us with them into those venues.

There is an under-21 music competition in Seattle Now it’s not much of a priority. Instead, we’re now called Sound Off! that has launched music careers for trying to find ways to help other young bands get into a lot of great young bands. the local music scene. When we first started out we thought that competing in Sound Off! would be our ultimate goal. That’s Who are some of your favourite musicians, not really the case anymore. Most bands play in singers, bands from the past or present? Why? competitions in order to get noticed so they can play in bigger venues. The list is too long!

We got lucky and met some great adult bands who We listen to as many genres as we can (rock, jazz, rap, alt, prog rock, etc.) but the bands that have probably influenced us the most have been local original bands like Crossing Crusades, Lust Punch, Wyatt Olney and the Wreckage, Woodshed, Superfekta, Windowpane, Bruiser Brody, Dirty Dirty, Jericho Hill, Stoic F.B., Naked Giants, Sunmother, Cashing in Karma, The Morning After, Asterhouse, DedElectric, Mister Master, Waking Things, Fuzz Mutt, Damn the Flood, Devils Hunt Me Down, Limberlost, Blue Helix and many others.

We still listen to a lot of national bands like Foo Fighters, Metallica, AC/DC, Queens of the Stone Age and Rage Against the Machine but not as much.

Is there any specific genre that you particularly like? Why?

We listen to rock mostly because it’s pretty high energy and it’s a lot of fun to play live as well, but we like all genres.

Every style has a way of making you move and inspiring you to feel something. There’s a time and place for everything, right? :-)

27 Do you think any of the above influence your base by doing too many shows but you also don’t want music and lyrics? If yes, how? If no, where do people to forget about you by doing too few shows. you get your influences from? The past couple of school years we’d play at most once We really try not to imitate anyone. a month but next year it’ll be more like once a quarter. Whatever free time we have outside of that will be We like to focus on creative chord progressions, a spent making music videos. That’s a lot of fun too, like nasty fuzz and a mean drop. making a mini-movie.

Basically, anything that will get your heart beating By the way, if anyone wants to take one of our songs faster. and make a music video of their own out of it, feel free!! Come up with some crazy storyline that makes Most of our song-writing starts with the music and people laugh and we’ll share the heck out of it! then Bella (our vocalist) puts all of the lyrics together, usually drawing on her personal life experiences. If How do you feel about the internet in the she feels emotion in the words she uses then the music business? audience probably will too. There are pros and cons. It might be easier to write simple lyrics but it’s a lot more fun if they tell a story and people can identify It’s super easy to distribute your music now, which is with it. cool, but it’s also put a lot of pressure on musicians trying to make a living out of it. Which famous person would you love to meet? Why? We know of a lot of musicians who have burnt out trying to do too We’d love to open many shows for Jack Black or playing in and Kyle Gass multiple bands. of Tenacious D someday. They are What sucks most super hilarious and of all is that it entertaining. took their joy out of playing music. Also, it would be cool to meet some of the Because of that, rock mega-bands we got into music that paved the way and will stay in in the 70s like Kiss, it only as long as Aerosmith, AC/DC, we’re having fun, Black Sabbath and regardless of the Rush. Pretty much money. There are any band that our no expectations. parents listened to when they were We’re lucky in the our age. That would sense that we’re make them feel still teens and good to hear that, lol. don’t have a lot of expenses yet. We bet this question gets answered a lot differently by adult bands. What’s the biggest challenge about being a band? How do you overcome these challenges? What do you do to relax?

Honestly, play music. It’s fun to practice alone, come It’s kind of funny, but our biggest challenge has totally up with something cool and then bring it to the next flipped over time. band practice. When we first started out we’d take whatever gig we We (Ryan and Ethan) are brothers so it’s super simple could possibly find (little league jamborees, farmers to have jam sessions but it’s pretty easy to include markets, open mic nights, etc.). Bella as well. She lives only a couple of blocks away. Also, we play a lot of video games. Don’t judge us :-) Now our biggest challenge is having to decline shows. It’s a balancing act. You don’t want to fatigue your fan

28 If you had the chance now to be instantly We like school and are already talking about college so transported to your favourite place, where most of our time is spent on homework or music. would it be and why? We could always pick up juggling or riding unicycles Bella: a Foo Fighters concert. later if needed, but that doesn’t really impress the Ethan: Any Seattle Seahawks football game. opposite sex so, like, “why?” right? Ryan: Dicks Burgers. Where do you see yourself in ten years? Why? Seriously though, we’ve taken road trips together, been to Disneyland together and will probably end up Omg, who knows? :-) We’re all definitely going to playing some weird venues outside of Seattle at some college and the chances of all of us going to the point, just not yet. University of Washington is pretty high, so we’ll all be doing something pretty boring compared to playing We’re kind of spoiled living near Seattle. There are a rock shows in ten years. lot of cool things to do here, the music scene is super strong and it’s where all of our friends are. Bella will probably be the CEO of Sub Pop Records, Ryan a dentist and Ethan a Boeing engineer, lol! Is there a specific skill you would love to learn in the future? Why? But that doesn’t matter when it comes to music.

Ryan: play the drums. We know that we can play music our whole lives if we Ethan: REALLY play the drums. want to and probably will. Bella: learn how to referee boxing matches. The good news is that we don’t have to worry about They (Ryan and Ethan) sometimes need it. But we any high school sports injuries…so we have that going don’t think about learning new skills as much as we for us. probably should.

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www.locomotive.rocks youtube.com/user/LocoMotive98065 www.instagram.com/LocoMotive98065 www.twitter.com/LocoMotive98065 www.facebook.com/LocoMotive98065

FOLLOW EMMA JASSY PHOTOGRAPHY Download for free LocoMotive songs: Instagram @vampzillagod https://www.facebook.com/100006244486672 locomotive.bandcamp.com FOLLOW EMMA SHANE PRESLER Instagram @rockmashanephotography 29 30 How To Prepare and Endure An Interview Written By: Liv Madison

Job interviews

It has come to be a dreaded term that looms on the horizon for most adolescents.

And like the many other “joys” of adolescence, job interviews are important milestones and should be prepared for.

As the daughter of an employer as well as a teen myself who has had to endure the process of job- seeking, I have picked up some handy tips that can give you the best chance at a successful interview. expectations and goals.

Keep in mind, a successful interview doesn’t always It may just be a job that will help you save for a new result in you getting the job you have applied for, car, you might just be looking for experience, or but rather involves making a good impression on you might be looking to eventually move up in the the employer and walking away confident that you company. prepared yourself to the best of your abilities and represented yourself well. Whatever the case, tell the employer the reason and not just what you think will get you the job.

Tips: Also let your employer know of any concerns you might have, perhaps you know of some dates you will be unable to work, or you have an injury which prevents Research the company and position you you from certain activity. Your prospective employer will appreciate your honesty at this early stage. are applying for While we are told time and time again to learn to sell My dad is constantly blown away by the amount of ourselves, a job interview is not a place to over-sell kids who show up for interviews and don’t know what the company does or what they are about.

Doing this research is really important and can give you some good lines to use while in the interview so the employer can see how well you could “fit in” with the company’s culture and goals.

Researching the role is also vital, you want to know what you will need to learn, what you can bring to the role, and also, if this is actually a role you want... which brings me to my next point. Be honest

It is likely you will be asked something along the lines of:

“Why do you want this role?”

It is very important you tell the employer your

31 less than impressed, but will also yourself. In other words don’t tell make you stressed and flustered them you can do things you can’t. which may hinder you from It will only come back to bite you performing at your best for later. the interview.

Most employees are happy to train young employees who Practice your are willing and eager to learn. handshake Wear suitable attire Call me old fashioned but good eye contact and a firm First impressions are incredibly handshake are so important! important and this is why your wardrobe choices should be well Celebrity-styled hi-fives are a thought-out whether interviewing at no-go, neither is a wimpy wave or a factory or a high-end legal office. an awkward glance.

Its a good idea is to sit outside the Confidence and personality can be shown place of work, if possible, and watch through how you introduce yourself and what the employees generally wear to shake hands. work. Come prepared Semi-formal is always a safe option, however you will generally know from research if a more Bring along certificates of education, folios, formal attire is required. ideas, whatever you think you may need for the job you are applying. Don’t ever be underdressed. This shows preparation and will be appreciated by the This means no ripped jeans or dirty converse (you employer. If the employer does not ask to see any of know the ones). it, showing up with a professional bag or briefcase is better than your mobile phone and your myki card. Be on time Find a point of difference This may seem like an obvious one but it is quite possibly one of the most important. If you can somehow separate yourself from the crowd, use it. Being late won’t just leave your possible employer Maybe you have a special skill or a hidden talent.

Without showing off, try and work this into the interview.

If you’re remembered as “the kid with the groovy tie” or “the funny girl” these are all things that will separate you from every other applicant they have seen.

You now have some direction and a starting point to prepare yourself for your interview.

REMEMBER - this will certainly not be the last interview you have. So even if you mess up, see it as good practice, part of your learning curve and confidence-building.

Follow Liv Madison on: Instagram @madison_styling_ Blog: https://madisonstyling.wixsite.com/blog 32 How do you feel being a mystery?

33 So who is Eleon? Who is this faceless artist? What is this artist all about? Sia, Daft Punk maybe you could help us?

Hailing from LA, Eleon has already garnered over 21,000 streams of his single so far on Soundcloud alone, which grabbed the interest of Australian boutique music label, True Music (Shelley Segal, Maya) who have swiftly signed Eleon for a local deal here in Australia.

Eleon’s music has that progressive new pop sound of ZAYN mixed with an urban feel and you CAN Check out Eleon’s debut single, If It Ain’t Me streaming on Soundcloud, iTunes, Spotify and YouTube.

34 35 How exciting for you to be named novelist of the year in 2017, how did that make you feel?

It was a real honour; I felt very fortunate, particularly alongside the other 2017 young novelists, whose work I’d admired for several years. I’m so looking forward to seeing what all of them do next—I’m especially excited for Rajith Savanadasa’s next novel.

There has been an overwhelming cry for help for young people at the moment with mental health issues and suicide rates so high. In your book, Our Magic Hour, you adopt an “Open Book” strategy, so to speak, so that young people open the discussion about suicide. Do you feel it is time to discuss suicide openly? For what purpose?

I think it’s important to be open about mental health generally, and certainly for young people. Discussing mental illness and its implications is one way to begin reducing the stigma—many of the risk factors leading to suicide are incredibly common, and yet we have this historic hangover that means a lot of people feel a sense of shame discussing them. We have a long way to go, but I think speaking more openly and honestly about mental health is a really important part of the puzzle. Jennifer Down is an editor and translator. Her debut novel Our Magic Hour (2016) was Often people don’t discuss the people short-listed for the NSW Premier’s Glenda left behind after a tragic incident like Adams Award for New Writing and the Voss suicide and yet you opened your book Prize, and longlisted for the Dobbie Literary with the characters in that situation. Do Award in 2018. In 2017 and 2018, she was you think we really need to start more of named a Sydney Morning Herald Young an open discussion with those left behind Novelist of the Year. and what they need?

36 People often talk about the ‘ripple effect’ of a sudden Probably just that no time spent reading is time death; so much that it’s almost become a cliché, but wasted. I miss having so much time to read. You learn it’s true—and yet it’s not something we’re necessarily so much that way. comfortable in discussing. What was an early experience where you learned I think literature has sometimes focused on the whys that language had power? of a suicide, but in reality, we rarely receive easy, clear- cut answers. I was much more interested in exploring It’s hard to pinpoint any particular experience. My the effects of that unknown, the impossibility of it, on parents both enjoy language, and using it, and they those who remain. always spoke to me as though I was an adult; they rarely moderated their vocabulary of tone. Do you feel, especially in Australia, that there is a shortage of healthcare professionals for mental I was also read to a lot as a kid, and even before I health issues for our youth? Where would you could read and write by myself, I was always making direct people if they needed help? up stories—either playing them out with toys, or dictating them to my parents so I could illustrate them. I do worry about the accessibility of mental health care in general. I’d like to see more bulk-billing options or When I was four I ‘wrote’ a book called Barbie and the subsidies for low-income earners when it comes to Divorce, which is weird and funny. I don’t think I knew accessing therapy, and also long-term care options. anyone who was divorced. My parents have been married for thirty years. The current mental health care plan system allows for an annual maximum of ten Medicare-subsidised What are the most important magazines for sessions (in Australia) with a registered practitioner, writers to subscribe to? Hint hint and while that’s plenty for some people, it won’t even scratch the surface for others—and it becomes really HashtagOz, of course :-) It’s equally vital to support the expensive. Schools, TAFEs and universities generally ecosystem that supports you as a writer and reader— have support services, which can be a good place to that is, magazines and journals that publish work start, particularly as they’re accustomed to dealing by Australian writers, particularly by emerging and with younger people. marginalised voices.

I think it’s important to have a GP you like and trust— Places like The Lifted Brow, Kill Your Darlings, Mascara, they can refer you to mental health professionals like Overland and Liminal are doing really great work. psychologists and psychiatrists—and to be upfront with them about your financial situation if necessary. How many unpublished and half-finished books do Otherwise, resources like headspace, BeyondBlue and you have? QLife are crucial, too. I have two novellas that I wrote when I was in high What is the first book that made you cry or laugh school—they’re both terrible, but I also think they uncontrollably? Why? were important for me to learn how to work with the structure of something that big. I probably learned a I think maybe it was First They Killed My Father by lot about craft through writing them, even though I’d Loung Ung, which I read when I was 14 or so. It’s a never show them to anyone now. memoir written by a survivor of the Khmer Rouge years under Pol Pot. I remember sitting in the wicker What kind of research do you do, and how long do chair in my bedroom and bawling my eyes out while I you spend researching before beginning a book? read during the summer school holidays. My writing is grounded in the real world, so a lot Do you try more to be original or to deliver to of my research is often to do with people’s jobs, or readers what they want/need? places they might live, or the effects of particular experiences. Honestly, I try not to think about the reader when I’m working on something new. Maybe that sounds Recently I wrote a story about a woman who’d worked counterintuitive or selfish, but I really think that when as an emergency services calltaker in New York on you’re working on a first draft, you’re telling the story September 11, 2001. The story was set in the days to yourself, and you need to let it be what it is. Later and weeks after 9/11, but I was interested in the way on, when you’re editing, it becomes important to take trauma is visited on cities as well as people, so I did a the reader into consideration—but to also honour lot of research on that. your gut instinct about the work. I listened to some actual 911 calls, which was awful, If you could tell your younger writing self anything, and watched a lot of found or citizen footage captured what would it be? on the day. It’s stuff like that. There’s no easy way

37 to measure how long it takes, and I usually keep It’s a real privilege to get to work with (mostly) young researching as I go. people who love reading and writing.

It’s impossible to know everything you’re going to Do you think the advancement of social media & write; I find I’m constantly stopping to learn more technology has hurt literacy or do you think it may about certain things, or fact-check episodes. have helped it?

How many hours a day do you write? How long on For the most part, it’s a good thing—millions of people average does it take you to write a book? What, do have access to information they never had until you think, is the hardest thing about writing? recently.

My Monday-to-Thursday job is as a copywriter, so I’m big into file-sharing when it comes to textbooks I usually spend eight or nine and academic resources; the hours a day writing—but that’s more widely accessible that all separate from my own work. no time spent reading is stuff is, the better.

I don’t work on my books every At some level, I do accept that day; it’s more sporadic, and time wasted. I miss having we’re spending more time usually happens on weekends. on devices doing stuff other so much time to read. You than reading, though, too. I’m My first book took six or seven definitely guilty of that. Ten years to write; my second book learn so much that way. years ago I only ever read was a collection of short stories books on public transport; that took two years to put now I’m just as likely to listen together. to a podcast or sit scrolling mindlessly through Instagram for twenty minutes, But it’s not a discrete thing—there’s lots of redrafting which isn’t great. and moulding and editing happening in that time, too. Do you read much and if so who are your favourite The hardest thing about writing is time. Trying to authors? shoehorn it in around other competing responsibilities of paid work, study, and the people you love. I read as much as I can—I think it’s a big part of my job as a writer. Some of my favourite authors include What would you tell young writers of today to help Eimear Myles, Helen Garner, Joan Didion, Ellen Van them in their journey? Neerven, Richard Ford, NoViolet Bulawayo, Tony Birch, Eimar McBride and Sherman Alexie. Read as much as you can, and read broadly—seek out narratives and voices that are different to your own, or Do you have anything in the pipeline at present those with which you might not be familiar. you would be willing to share or is it still a secret, a work in progress? Reading brings empathy, as well as a lot of important elements of craft as a writer, and there’s no easy way I’m working on a new novel at the moment. It doesn’t to learn those things. But through reading, you can have a title yet, but it’s about a young woman who kind of absorb it so it becomes intuitive. decides to disappear and start a new life, having grown up in out-of-home care. If you had to do something differently as a child or teenager to become a better writer as an adult, what would you do?

I’d maybe have tried experimenting a little more with different forms, both as a reader and writer.

I was always intimidated by poetry as a kid, probably because we only ever read the same dead white men at school, and so I thought I couldn’t understand or enjoy it. It’s taken me years to undo that.

Do you enjoy the workshops you do with others or do you find it a challenge?

I like teaching workshops. Although I really admire teachers, I don’t think it’s a job I could do full-time, but I love stepping into a classroom every so often.

Book Review with Emma Dennin EMMA DENNIN Emma Dennin is a high school writer/reader from Oklahoma. She’s the proud author of contemporary novel, This Is Why, and upcoming sequel, This is How. Emma is also very passionate about the arts, including: theatre, drawing, music, and dance.

Emma’s Book Review

Rating System

5 Please go and read Rating: 4/5 this book so we can gush about it together! “The Sun Is Also a Star”, by Nicola Yoon, is a contemporary-romance novel about two teenagers, 4 Natasha and Daniel, and their adventures in falling in love within only one day. Highly RecommendED!

This book was absolutely adorable! Yoon does an amazing 3 job with developing realistic but entertaining characters, Entertaining, but A as well as creating beautiful chemistry between the two mains. LITTLE lackING

While reading, I could relate to both Natasha and Daniel, 2 who are supposed to be polar opposites. That takes a Not interested in it. lot of talent. I also really enjoyed the balance of humour and seriousness in this book, it had me both crying and laughing until I couldn’t breathe! 1 A solid nope. My favorite part about it, however, is the time-span. The fact that it’s all in one day gives the novel a sense of urgency and intensity, which works extremely well for the plot. Follow EMMA:

Overall, I think this book is such a joy to read and I highly recommend you pick it up!

39 40 Growing up, you lived in a number of It has definitely influenced my music, you know, I took countries. What was it like experiencing a little bit of every placed I lived in with me. I guess in different cultures? How did it affect your terms of songwriting, the fact that I’ve travelled a lot and engaged with different cultures opened my mind. perceptions and perspective of life? Do you It made me realise I have to write whatever I feel like think your cultural experiences influence your writing. music? Songwriting? It has encouraged me to be an individual, to breathe in who I truly am and deliver it as good as I possibly can. I don’t remember much of living in Peru because I was only there until I was about five, but I definitely feel it’s like home whenever I go back to see my dad. When did you start singing? songwriting? What do you think makes a song so good that After turning five, I moved to Spain for a while and at audiences want to hear a song over and over 14 my brother and I lived in England for a couple of again? What attracted you to singing and song years with my dad. writing? I came back to Spain when I was about 16. I have been singing for as long as I can remember. My Thanks to all that, I’ve been able to listen to different grandmother always tells me how I used to dress up sounds and experience different personalities. for family reunions in Peru and then sing and dance for them. I feel so lucky that I had that opportunity.

41 I remember I made myself a microphone with some paper and a paper roll when I was around 10.

I would walk around my dad’s house playing music, singing into my mic.

I started writing my own music when I learned to play guitar, back when I was in England. I wanted a proper mic but my dad got me a guitar for Christmas. Man, I was mad. I didn’t even touch it for a few weeks. Then I did some research and learnt a few chords. That was when the words from poems I had written started to sound better with some music on.

And so I started writing songs. I guess the reason why we listen to certain songs at certain times it is because we like to listen to someone singing about something we have been feeling or that we felt sometime but didn’t know how to express it. Who are some of your favourite musicians, I started writing my own stuff because at one singers, bands from the past or present? why? point I realised there were things I was feeling and experiencing that no one new was writing about. And I From the past, I would say anyone who did jazz, blues, thought maybe some other people might feel that way soul, I’m old school, you know - Luther Allison, B.B too, so you know. King, The Band, Nina Simone.

Also it made me feel good to take something that had Talking about the more recent artists, I really like that been in my head for a while and write it on paper. I dark bad-ass type. People like Amy Winehouse or Lana guess that was the main reason I started songwriting. Del Rey. I think, she has influenced my new Single ‘Stars’ a lot (coming out at the end of May people!). What isnpired you to be a singer? I’m really digging this hip hop/trap scene that is going All the artists I listened to when I was happy or sad. on, too.

I felt like they were my friends, you know - Amy I’ve recently discovered Stefflon Don. She’s cool. Winehouse, Billie Holiday, Etta James, Nina Simone, B.B King....they were there when it felt like no one else Is there any specific genre that you was. particularly like? Why?

Have you performed in any gigs/competitions/ Oh, the Blues. I had always loved jazz, always. My busking etc? How do you think that has parents used to play it for me when I was a baby. The supported your journey? Blues were just too much for me at the time - I guess, when I was younger it felt too mature for my age. I I have played many gigs over the past couple of years. didn’t feel as close to the lyrics back then. But now, oh I’ve had the chance to play with an amazing band, the man, I am in love with the blues. It covers every kind Rocoto Blues and with my producer, Amy Brotherton of emotion, ever kind of feeling. It is completely and in Lima, Peru. utterly comforitng.

I’ve played gigs in England, I’ve played in Madrid too; in I couldn’t live without it now. different venues and bars like Caravan or Siroco. Do you think any of the above influence your That has certainly helped me understand what an music and lyrics? If yes, how? If no, where do audience is and helped me learn how to get people you get your influences from? engaged with my performance. Of course, it does. I mean, you have to try and reach that point where you deliver the emotion you felt as you were writing But you know, I try to be myself. It sounds like a the song or when you were learning someone elses’s massive cliche, very boring but - if I’m honest with song. you, even though I am influenced by all these people,

42 Sometimes it’s the melody or the rhythm that comes I don’t think I should like them at all. If I really did copy to me first. Then I spend a few days thinking about every single artist I listen to, I would be a mess. lyrics that will fit the sound, taking into account what I am experiencing at the time and my surroundings. I guess, I learn from their sounds, their will power; but I’m most influenced by my surroundings, my friends, my people, you know. Which famous person, would you love to meet? Why? Sometimes, they make me happy and sometimes they hurt me. Sometimes, they are happy and sometimes they get hurt. If I could bring him back, I’d like to meet Luther Allison. ‘Cherry Red Wine’, man - what a masterpiece! That is what I write about. I want to get a tattoo that says “Even the grass that You’ve released many originals singles on grows on your grave will be cherry red”. Spotify and iTunes. What was the title of your I’d meet Amy (Winehouse) as well. I think, we would first song you ever wrote? get along. Man, she was honest. You don’t see that around here often anymore. Specially in lyrics. I have, indeed! Also my debut single “Stars” is about to go up at the end of May/beginning of June. Exciting People from the past said, what they felt like they times! The first song I ever wrote was about my needed to say, “I love you”, “I am going to do this”, grandfather. But I don’t remember the title. “I feel like that”.

What is special and unique about your musical You don’t see that now. As Amy once said, nowadays style? Lyric style? it’s all about the “I don’t care” and “I don’t like you”, which to me is not even true. I guess what you’d say is revolutionary about my music is that I wouldn’t really I have not met a single person in my life know what tag to put on it. I feel like I I allow who doesn’t feel. They are just numbed have taken in everything I have listened by this desire in today’s society of not to throughout my life and created my myself more admitting emotions. own sound. Not for me - I will sing whatever I want and You could maybe call it Indie but that time to shape I am a very sensitive person. I can’t sing just sounds too generic. I’m just me. about partying all the time.

In terms of what I write about, I the song. I need something to listen to when I am guess I’m interested in people. I write taking a walk at midnight and want to about love, about heartbreak, about remember all the good times, and the bad addiction; but I think everything I write has a deep times. sarcastic tone in it which doesn’t allow me to “only” write a sad song. I need it to be something else, too. I feel like Lana Del Rey does - that kind of thing too - it would be cool to meet her as well. As you’ve matured how has your music changed? What have you learned along the Is there any particular song that moves you way that has been invaluable to your life emotionally every time you listen to it? Why? journey thus far? ‘All I could do is cry’, by Etta James. When I started writing, I would only write stories. I would take a memory and describe it. Have you listened to that song? It is all about those past times, what I was talking about earlier. Before, it Then I would find a melody that sounded like the was all about the voice, the performance, the lyrics. No lyrics and that was about it. As of now, I like to be a back up dancers. No distortion. I’m not saying all that little more detailed. I usually have a few sentences is not good but it’s just not my preference. written down on my phone that I turn into a poem and I read it and re-write it over a short (sometimes it gets My friend Jimmy and I are obsessed with Etta James. longer!) period of time. We’ve never cried together while listening to her but I’m pretty sure the reason we like listening to her when we I think that is what has changed, I allow myself more are having a drink is because in our own time, we have. time to shape the song.

43 Everything I’ve written about over the past few years, ‘Stone Cold’ by Demi Lovato is mind-blowing too. She’s they’ve lived through with me. mad talented. I couldn’t have asked for more. Thanks to my friends, Is there any particular passage in a song that I am much more confident now. I’m learning to be a better person. I think that is the reason why it is so speaks to you? important to surround yourself with good people - sometimes it gets too hard to go through things, on “Something told me to run, honey and you know me, it your own. is all or none”. How would you describe your perfect day? It is from a song called, Where I Stood, by Missy Higgins. Also “Tears Dry On Their Own” by Amy I love going out in Mardrid - sitting on terraces, having Winehouse. a drink and a good talk with good company.

How do you feel about the Internet in the If you had the chance now to be instantly music industry? transported to your favourite place, where would it be and why? Augh! That is a difficult question for me. I’d like to be on stage. I would like to love on stage. Any In an ideal world, I would only care about the music kind of stage. I feel my best on stage. and the interviews because I would like people to get to know me in another way as well. What would you say your family and/or friends appreciate about you the most? But, all this social media world that we live in - that I am completely into as well - that just becomes too I think I’m funny. I like making jokes, and try not to much for me sometimes. take life too seriously.

I feel like there is so much pressure to always look I already over think as much as you can possibly good on social media, to always sound good. imagine. I couldn’t write songs if I didnt do that (make jokes) but it gets hard sometimes. That is not real. Etta James didn’t have to deal with Instagram haha. So, when I’m out with friends, I like to It is so important joke about everything. I think that’s What particular challenges have what my friends appreciate about me. you overcome? What have you to surround learnt about yourself? You’d have to ask them though. yourself with good I consider myself to be very lucky. Is there a specific skill you would I have a very interesting family. I’m love to learn in the future? why? grateful to my friends. people - sometimes I’ve been thinking about trying out When I was about 15, I didn’t it gets too hard to acting lately. My grandfather was an understand how my brain functioned. actor. So I’ve always been close to that I felt very weird most of the time. go through things, industry, although my thing has always been music. I went through a certain stage in my life back when I wasn’t comfortable on your own. So I would love to give acting a go. It with my body and my mind and so I would be fun. developed an eating disorder and I got a little depressed. Where do you see yourself in ten years? Why? Luckily, I met this group of 21-year-olds who I feel raised me in a way. The people that know me best, joke about the fact, that I like living in the past a lot. Because of my mental state back then, I didn’t think about the consequences of my actions. I was very I love living off memories. blunt, didn’t trust anyone. It is hard for me to think about the future. My friends taught me what was right and what was wrong and they took care of me kind of. I would love to have a successful career, though. So

44 I will try to be an optimist: I’d like to be playing at the MSC in 10 years. Hopefully sooner, but you know - its quite a big goal. Don’t fear failure. What three pieces of advice would you give those, just starting out in the music industry? There are many 1. Write about whatever you feel like. There are no ways to success. rules for songwriting, no matter how hard people try to tell you there are. Yours is your own. 2. Don’t fear failure. There are many ways to success. Yours is your own.

3. Practise, practise, practise. Listen, listen, listen.

Sofia’s album, Mistakes At 2am is available on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon amd CD Baby.

Follow Sofia Buckingham: Website: www.sofiabuckingham.com Instagram @sofiabuckinghamx Twitter@sofiabuckinghamx Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialSofiaBuckingham/ Youtube: Sofia Buckingham Fanpage

45 oday let’s talk about being social for a minute. Not social media, but Tconversations. just being argumentative, and you will end up Many people think a conversation is just taking being avoided. If you save correction, or your big turns talking, but forget that a real conversation is story for a later time, you will be more likely to be about listening as well. Friendships are based on listened to. conversations, so let’s talk do’s and don’ts. Don’t be conversational ball hog. A good Listen to understand, not just to reply. Really conversation is a team effort, not a monologue. think about what the other person is saying, and Sometimes you can get nervous and end up if you’re not sure, repeat back to them what you chattering away, but try to catch yourself and let thought they meant and ask them if you got it right. other people get a word in edgewise. Don’t be that Make eye contact, because facial expressions guy that gets dated only one time, talks about help you understand what people really nothing but himself, and what he likes, and b his stuff, until you’re ready to chew your mean. Watch charismatic world leaders Listen & Silent are that people follow, believe in, and love. spElt with the same own arm off to get away. They’re all excellent listeners with good letters - think about Don’t interrogate people or ask eye contact. When they listen, you know that! awkward questions. Questions you’re really being heard and feel like you’re are a good way to get a conversation the only one in the room. started, because people like talking about Don’t interrupt. Especially if it’s to compete themselves, but be careful that you don’t ask with your own bigger, cooler story or with some questions that are too personal or embarrassing. random tangent. Filter your thoughts and learn Don’t gossip. Gossip is relationship poison. Never to save some for later. This can be hard to do, trust that your gossip buddy won’t turn on you, especially for those of us with a comedian brain! because they will. It is an ugly habit that feeds on This shows respect for the person you’re talking to. looking for the worst in others and then setting Don’t compete or correct all the time. Know-it- out to ruin lives for fun and attention. Change the alls are hard to be around. They may think they’re subject, walk away, don’t get involved. Better yet, being informative, but it often comes off as if you say something nice. think other people are stupid. You don’t have to I don’t know about you, but I’ve done every one correct people every time you disagree. That’s of these things at some point. Ouch. It’s good to

46 be real with ourselves about this list and change Most of us have socially awkward moments and some of our habits so people will want to spend sometimes the most confident-acting person in time with us. the room was sick to their stomach with nerves before the party started. The key is don’t condemn yourself and give up. That’s normal. No one is perfect, and we’re all a work in progress. Even if you do everything right you Even actors and musicians suffer stage fright and won’t fit with everyone and that doesn’t mean social anxiety, but they don’t let it win, so hang in you’re bad or wrong, or that they are. there, it does get better!

Relationships are a bit like a puzzle. Not all the Are there any particular social or conversation tips pieces are interchangeable, and sometimes it that have worked for you? What’s your pet peeve? takes a little time to find your spot. Please share! All that said, don’t feel bad if being social makes you nervous.

Follow Cheryl Little on : www.adultlikeaboss.com Instagram @adultlikeaboss

47 iving feedback is a skill. Most of us are ok with giving out good feed- provide a G back, but when its not so good, it If the specific behaviour can be a challenge. Yet, giving feedback on example of how the was good, good behaviour and not so good behav- a behaviour behaviour then continue, iour in a constructive manner enables the that you have effected you otherwise, other person to either understand to con- witnessed and change the tinue this specific behaviour or to change experienced behaviour

The E.E.C formula is here to the rescue - It’s easy and it’s effective. EXAMPLE 1 EXAMPLE 2

Chris has just started the new school/job and fellow You choose to speak to a handful of the more mature student/colleague made the effort and showed Chris students or senior staff. around and generally made her feel very welcome. “Yesterday was Chris’ first day at this school/department. “Pat, I heard how you took Chris around the school/ I was away and was unable to welcome Chris. I believe department, introduced her to a number of people that Chris spent much of the day alone and lost her way and generally made Chris feel welcome (Example). around. No one took any interest in Chris and she was Chris told me that she was very grateful to you and forced to struggle to find her way around by herself felt very welcome (Effects). I very much appreciate (Example). She wasted a lot of her day and felt terri- you doing this. Tomorrow, Tyler is joining the school/ ble (Effects). Tyler is another newbie and is joining us department, would you have the time to show him tomorrow. What can you do to make Tyler feel welcome? around? (Continue) (Change)

But let’s say, no one showed Chris around and you The difference between example 1 and example 2, is were informed that Chris lost her way around the that we ask the student or staff member to change their school/department. behaviour and by them coming up with strategies, they own their behaviour as they by default, communicate a verbal contract. The E.E.C formula is good for instant and straightforward issues. But what if the issue is serious?

Our July issue will cover how to handle serious issues. 48 ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU USE YOURS TO HELP OTHERS

MEET Jake besaw

Jake started the Aaron Foundation in commemoration of Aaron Piroska, who was Jake’s closest friend from a very early age.

In 2011, Aaron tragically died in a motor vehicle accident where an underage, unlicensed driver was behind the wheel and all occupants, apart from Aaron had a seatbelt available. Aaron and his friends were leaving a party and were offered a lift by the driver, who was unknown to Aaron.

As it turned out, this driver was underage and unlicensed and there were too many passengers in the car for the number of seatbelts. Aaron was the only fatality in this collision and not Aaron insisted that his friends and girlfriend put on wearing a seatbelt was the primary cause. their seatbelts, which left Aaron to go without. Aaron’s beautiful parents along with Jake have Unfortunately, the unlicensed driver had a high made it a mission of theirs to advocate for safety impact collision and Aaron was thrown from the on Victorian roads and have been heavily involved vehicle, dying on impact. in the matter.

49 Achievements

Jake Besaw, gained consideration in the Australian of The Year Awards this January.

He was a guest of parliament for the day and made use of this honour, to meet senators and discuss the various issues his foundation is working to combat.

Jake runs various educational outreach programs, where he primarily reaches out to young people who are at risk of, or are currently experiencing, homelessness.

He helps them with essential skills and resources to get them back on their feet, regaining confidence in themselves, and having a purpose in life.

Jake is able to help these young people obtain short-term accommodation, write a resume, help extreme difficulty in gaining any benefits from with interview skills, provide appropriate clothing Centrelink (Australia), due to initial waiting periods for an interview, obtain training for employment, and a requirement for ID, which is something that and gain access to tertiary education that will many young people didn’t have. ultimately improve their employability and skills.

This caused initial waiting periods to blow out Jake started his educational program in 2015 when exponentially, as they awaited their replacement cards. he initially started working at our city office and was overcome with how many homeless young Jake realised that the best way to help these young people there was around the CBD. people was to assist them in gaining employment, as they can then afford their own accommodation. Jake spent weeks making friends with homeless Jake created a class on ‘job skills’ which he taught young people during his lunch break, sharing lunch on footpaths and in alleyways, where these young with them and getting to know them and their people spent time. This was the first step in stories of how they became homeless. rebuilding their lives.

This gave Jake insight into the problem and an However, after teaching these classes for three effective approach to help them get back on their months and meeting so many incredible young feet. Melbournians that were doing it tough, Jake’s classes became well known. Nine out of every ten young people were on the street due to family violence. Accommodation at He was contacted by a Melbourne charity who a youth refuge could leave these young people had a spare office space where he could teach. on a waiting list for many months, so they had no Jake has taught there ever since, and so far, he has choice but to sleep on the streets. taught over 200 students.

Unfortunately, these young people also had

50 Heath has since transitioned into studying his Bachelor of Social Work, gaining a volunteering What an impact! opportunity with the Office of The Public Advocate and is now working along with Jake on the Aaron Some students have incredible stories and one Foundation. What an incredible young man! such student is Heath. Jake has been able to use his experience and Heath, who was on the verge of homelessness, knowledge of the pervasive issue of Youth was a student of Jake’s program in 2015. Jake Homelessness in meeting with media personalities assisted Heath with improving his employability such as Channel 9’s Peter Hitchener. and to also gain entry into studying a Diploma of Community Services. Jake was invited by Channel 9 to their Heath was so grateful for his opportunity of a Melbourne studios, helping hand. He wanted to study so he could to meet Mr Hitchener help other people in situations just like his. Heath and discuss youth graduated with distinction and successfully gained homelessness and employment. What an achievement! its deep connection to family violence. After his graduation, Heath was met by the Mr Hitchener has honourable Martin Foley MP, Minister for Housing, become a friend of Jake’s since then, and they now Disability and Ageing, Mental Health, Equality and regularly meet up on funding campaigns for the Creative Industries. Monash Children’s Hospital, where they are both volunteers.

Jake was in final consideration for the Australian of The Year Award exclusively for his community work in Melbourne with The Aaron Foundation. He also has other educational outreach projects internationally such as in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia.

At the time Mr Foley was announcing the Federal Government’s $799 million funding program to combat homelessness and he used Heath’s remarkable story as an example of how incredible our young Australians can be when they gain a Jake chose Ethiopia as it has one of the lowest helping hand. literacy rates in Africa, because being illiterate has a direct link to poverty.

51 Jake and Dr Karl will teach a science class via Skype from a Sydney University classroom to Jake’s class. Jake and Dr Karl will discuss science and help foster ‘Scientific Literacy’ with these students in Ethiopia, a country that is renowned for giving no importance to any education in science.

Jake has recently gained a new government grant to expand the services of The Aaron Foundation and to continue his efforts to combat youth homelessness.

We at Hashtag Oz, wish both him and his team, with The Aaron Foundation the very best of luck!

If you are interested in volunteering, please visit www.theaaronfoundation.org

Jake ran classes at a school in Addis Abba, the capital of Ethiopia, where he taught classes on Science, Mathematics and English to students who were all graded as experiencing extreme poverty.

With the assistance of a translator, Jake also visited each students’ home and family after each day of teaching, in an effort to understand and document how education is changing their lives and family situation.

Jake saw multi-generational poverty with these families and experienced firsthand the power and hope that education holds.

These students and their future children, will be the first in many generations of their family to break through poverty and have the chance to live a better life.

Jake is continuing his work in the region through his science outreach program, which is in partnership with the friendly and outgoing Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, a very well-known Australian Scientist and advocate for ‘Scientific Literacy’.

In addition to past accomplished projects with Dr Karl, they have a future project scheduled for October 2018.

52 QUESTIONS FROM READERS HOW CAN I LIVE BETWEEN CULTURES

American sociologist, Ruth Useem, coined the term, third culture kid (abbreviated TCK) back in the 1950s to describe the modern phenomenon, where children are raised for a significant part of their early developmental years, in a culture other than their parents. These children, experience life exposed to a greater variety of cultural differences, expanding their cultural identity beyond an exclusive culture. This means that the TCK, has a ‘mixed’ identity influenced by their parents’ culture as well as the other cultures they were raised in. As a result, TCK, do not fully relate to eitherr their parents’ culture, culture or the culture they were raised in. Thus forming a cultural hybrid.

Nine cues that you are probably a TCK person.

1. You struggle to give a simple reply to “Where are you from?”

2. You’re very comfortable to hanging out with a very wide variety of people from different cultures, diverse viewpoints, religious and political diversities, and may identify with their perspectives, or not, but it’s all cool.

3. You’re very sensitive to REAL LIFE and pick up social and dynamic signals with the speed of light.

4. You cannot stand imitation cultural cuisine because you’ve tasted the real deal and know what a sushi roll is and what a sushi roll is not.

5. You tend to have a mixed “accent” – that is, for every language you speak, you tend to have a lesser or a greater accent than is usual.

6. You may plan frequent holidays across sea and country to catch up with friends and family.

7. You get used to leaving, goodbyes, moving on, and making new friends.

8. You own a global view of the world at an intuitive level.

9. Helping others to relate to you by replying to questions in a manner the other person can process, becomes a coat you put on daily. 53 Some famous TCK: Barack Obama Kobe Bryant Viggo Mortensen

The struggles that YOU MAY FACE IF YOU’RE A TCK

You may not feel ‘enough’ of any specific culture – neither your parents’ culture nor any other culture. TCK do not tend to fit into any culture fully. Standing out as different feels genuine and authentic to you.

You may feel disconnected in the process of trying to keep up with the cultural trends of any one culture when it comes to fashion, music, TV shows, sport, etc .

Your values and beliefs may be different from your friends and family. For instance, getting married or attending University may not be on your priority list but travelling may be a top priority.

You have a very different definition of ‘home’ to the mainstream populace. Getting emotionally attached to a specific house, for instance feels foreign to you. People hold more value for you than places do.

You have a quirky humour that you can’t fully share with others. Because you are sensitive in culturally specific ways you see the funny side of various cultural behaviours that others don’t see.

You know you fit in anywhere and nowhere at the same time. Changing into a monoculture is impossible for a you.

54 A TCK will inevitably have to develop the skill of shifting between both cultures. Some, or all, of the following will be part of the experience:

Having a wide and varied social circle across various cultures.

Sorting through your values, beliefs and biases at a heightened self-awareness level.

For example, your family culture embraces individuality and self-expression, but your host country values selflessness and working as a group. In time, a fusion that works for you will happen.

You might will learn to use cultural mores like a coat, putting them on, or taking them off, depending on what most suits the occasion.

Monitoring what you say and adapting specific behaviours, in order to meet cultural sensitivities and norms.

Accepting that you are culturally liberated and a global resident.

Admit that your identity is laid across a number of cultures and thus you are, most likely, a diluted version of your parent’s culture and your host culture.

You will naturally be drawn to other TCK and feel a natural connection with them.

Your tendency to embrace and enjoy change will result in you acquiring varied interests and collecting varied, and even unusual, bits of information from a number of sources and cultures.

Your wide and broad perspective of life makes you open-minded and discerning ahead of your peers.

You acquire emotional strength from a young age.

You understand that the struggle to find your place in society is your reality. Becuase of this, you don’t like to be singled out and made to feel like an outsider, but you do like your special background to be acknowledged.

You realise the figuring out your identity will be part of your journey.

Ultimately, your identity will be forever wrapped around more than one culture and you will find home is where you decide to make it.

Many of our readers have requested a section where we answer your questions. Question From Readers is dedicated to YOU. Please send your questions to [email protected] We will try our best to research and reply to your questions 55 INTRODUCING...

eet Perch Creek. It is an out-and-out winner – imagina- an alternative/ tive, fun, and channeling the best bits indie family band of those brilliantly corny 70’s action with an eclectic, flicks. The audience are kept on the funky, harmony- edge of their seats, following the esca- driven evocative pades of the group as Eileen tries her pop, offbeat soul best to avoid the cops who are chasing M her for a crime she didn’t commit. sound.

Perch Creek are back with a Perch Creek is made up of Camilla Hodgkins (keyboard and vocals), Lear mischievous new single Gold Shop, Hodgkins (Drums and vocals), Eileen a thrilling car-chase of a track, Gold Hodgkins (guitar and vocals), Christi Shop, which was released on March Hodgkins (Trombone, saw, harmonica 23, along with a hilarious, vintage- and vocals) and James Chandler (bass inspired clip. and vocals).

56 My Favourite Recent Artist Discoveries

VINCE BIRD by CAMILA HODGKINS

Vince Bird (aka Lenny Hodgkins) is a fourteen year old FROM PERCH CREEK electronic music producer and singer based in Mel- bourne. He also happens to be my youngest brother! OUMOU SANGARE (And the rebel kid of eight who branched out of the folk and roots music we all grew up playing). ‘90s keyboard A friend raved about Oumou sounds and dance beats combined with great pop melo- Sangare being his favourite artist dies and phrasings make for a banger of a track that you recently, and I had never heard of can’t help but dance to! Proud big sister moment. her. She is a musician from Mali who has been performing for de- Check out his single Can’t Escape. cades. I have since been listening heaps! Her vocal style is so funky https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LiLUqyXMcQ and hypnotising, with beautiful high chanting call and response SUPAMAN snippets mixed in between the main melodies. The music is a seamless mix of Malian tradition- My partner showed me Supaman’s song Somewhere al music and funk vibes. I love her after hearing it on the radio last week. The song features most recent album, Mogoya. First Nations singers and percussionists, Northern Cree. It is so cool, and so is the album. I love Supaman’s way of incorporating interesting samples and live recordings D.D DUMBO with hard hitting raps over simple grooves. All the songs I listened to D.D Dumbo for the on his album Illuminatives are varied and engage me in first time a few weeks ago on the an emotional way. in-flight entertainment channel on a flight to Perth. The song Walrus is amazing! I love the THE BARR BROTHERS African stylistic elements mixed in with looping, electronic stuff A band from the U.S and Canada, featuring two brothers and incredible vocals. He is a and a harpist. They play a really great mix of roots and Castlemaine-based musician, and rock styles, with cool arrangements and dreamy vocals. I don’t know how I missed finding The harp is played in a really interesting way too. It his music before now! I find the songs sonically interesting and sounds kind of like guitar fingerpicking at times. There unique, while still grooving hard are lots of layers of sound and beautiful strings. I love and being easy to listen to. the songs Maybe Someday and You Would Have To Lose Your Mind.

57 PERCH CREEK AUSTRALIAN TOUR

With special guest Jumpin’ Jack William (excluding *) plus more TBA All tickets available from www.perchcreek.com

58 What So Not is an electronic music project by Australian record producer Emoh Instead (Chris Emerson), formerly a duo with record producer Flume. What So Not has toured the world, playing in various festivals. He released his debut album titled Not All the Beautiful Things on 9 March 2018.

What-So-Not is a project. How on tour with me. He sings and plays would you describe the core guitar.It’s really fun and exciting. I’m values of what you’re all about? personally ecstatic how it’s looking and feeling and ended up, and excited I guess what I try and do is multifaceted. to develop it even more. The music There’s the show itself which involves itself really reflects on a moment in my stage, lighting, visuals, sound and own life, or an experience, and takes everything around that and I try and off on different tangents creating this have this world that people step into narrative. Of course developing the that’s kind of different from anything album was just one giant narrative. they’ve seen before. I’ve been working I hope that people listen to the music to build that for years with various and feel some sort of repport with their artists and visual teams and film own life, with the type of experience directors and now have a show that is I have gone through. I hope they a 600 sq ft peacock course monster experience some sort of relieving truck with LED walls. I’m playing electric properties, or perhaps in a positive drums and running an Ableton Live sense, there’s a song that’s very free session, I have a guitarist who’s actually and exciting that they can reflect on and the son of Steve Lukather from Toto enjoy the exciting energy behind it. who is coming to Australia and will be

59 What advice you would give You go through something, you sit young people wanting a career in there and you channel it, you let it music? all out, you play some chords, you play a melody, sing something into a You need to do something unique, to computer or microphone, and that is a have value. It can take you a while to way of getting it all out. That becomes work that out. It took me maybe 4-5 a song for me. I find that the art is a years to develop my skills to a point reflection of life itself. Observations of where I was at the start of ‘This is what life, maybe it’s not your own experience I am, this is what my sound is and this is but something someone very close to where I want to take it.’ It took me that you has experienced. For instance, a long to work it out. The way to work it friend might tell me a story that has out is to create things in different fields, had an impact on me, and I have a lot of different styles, and different genres, empathy for them, and this is something every single day, every spare hour you they went through, provides an idea have. Then you start piecing together that leads to a new creative expression. all the little things you love in all these totally different genres and you put When are you the happiest? them together. There is your sound, I’m happy a lot of the time, and then there is where, and what, you are a when I do get sad I end up happy unique individual. Once you work that because usually when I get sad I start to out, you need to start building things write something. I think to myself, this with that unique sound and think about; is probably going to turn into a really what it looks like, feels like, working in good song. I lap it up when I’m happy film or photography. Maybe you work in and try to bring other people in to that. film or photography, or you may need If I’m down I try to remember that it’s someone in music to come onboard just a moment, it’ll probably pass in a to provide a soundtrack to blend with few days. Sometimes you have no idea what you’re creating. It’s about doing why you feel sad, you just feel down. something unique or interesting. Then I’ll try and do something productive you’ll notice people in different fields will about it, I’ll make sure I’m eating healthy naturally gravitate towards you and you foods, exercising and spending some can work together with a cohesive vision time with friends, or have a chat and try to create some really powerful things and get whatevers on my mind, off my that suddenly put you on the map and mind, so it’s not so much of a problem. give you value in the world. Otherwise I’ll do something creative or Reflecting on your musical what I’m passionate about, and I find it’ll journey what has it taught you turn into a song. Usually the problem about life? works itself out and I don’t allow myself to become too fussed and try and expel I think life taught me about music all my attachment to it. (laughs), more so than the other way. A lot of my songs come from a real If you had a chance what advice place and a real experience, and I would you give your 14 year old feel like creating is almost a therapy. self?

60 It’s a tough one because I’m pretty What’s next for you after the happy with where I am and where I’m tour? trying to get to. I got back from my American bus tour. ‘Hey it’s going to be a hell of a ride, good I have the Australian tour coming up, luck’. so excited about that because it’s like nothing I’ve ever brought to Australia Where’s home for you at the moment? before.

I’ve actually been nomadic for four This point I’m finding myself at the end years now. I rent and live no where. of the three-year plan that we put in Legally I live in Australia, in Melbourne place for me to take; to do all these and Sydney. Last year I spent five nights tours, do the Divide and Concour EP, at my parents house. I spent the most take time off, write the album, release time in Nicaragua last year. There’s this the album, start touring this live show. really amazing set up called Maderas I’m at the start of planning my next three Village, ‘you’re in the jungle, you’re at the years, after 2019, which is really exciting. edge of this fantastic surfing beach, and there’s a music studio. I just go down A lot depended on how this album there and get away from it all, write would go and where it would take us. music, and go surfing every day. There’s We had a sold-out tour in America a bunch of interesting people from the and looks like it’s heading that way in tech industry. We jam out ideas and Australia. The album came in at Number concepts and talk about life and work 2 in Australia, Number 1 in Dance. Well on things together. above what we thought it was going to achieve. I’m so grateful for how well Haven’t really lived anywhere; mainly everything seems to be doing. Hotels, air bnb, tour buses, and that’s kind of it.

61 BRITISH INDIA

Do you like to travel? Do you have to travel? There is a skill to packing and here are some of our best tips. Digitize your documents

This includes your ID and travel documents via a USB drive (keep separate from your check-in baggage for security purposes), tablet, smartphone or cloud. Download PackPoint on your mobile By digitizing your documents, you have a backup, should anything happen to your baggage. This is a priceless app for serious travellers. PackPoint is a free travel packing list organizer and planner that calculates based on how long you’ll be away and the Your Bag weather at your destination what you need to pack. Organize all the things you plan to pack into It can also help you to plan your activities.

categories around your suitcase/bag: Clothing (separated into tops, jackets, pants, underwear, accessories and shoes) Toiletries Electronic devices Miscellaneous (gadgets/equipment) Choose Devices according to needs

If you only want to access your social media and take happy photos – a smart phone or tablet will Toiletries do. Ditch the camera and laptop.

If your accommodation has bluetooth, don’t take First decide if you will be happy to use the the portable speaker. toiletries provided at your accommodation.

If not, you will need to buy travel-sized Don’t forget your charger. Check if you need USB toiletries (everything from shampoo, and cables or, if you are only going to use your conditioner, body lotion, deodorant, etc.) smartphone, a charging case or small portable from supermarkets, pharmacies, and/or battery pack will do. camping supply shops rather than take full- sized bottles. Alternatively, you can also purchase empty travel-sized bottles, and transfer some of your home toiletry products to these travel versions.

Most importantly, use screw-top containers (e.g., toothpaste, gels and creams) and avoid leaks.

63 Clothes

Discard half of the clothes you’ve picked out, except your underwear. Factor in laundry Miscellaneous items accessibility. Consider: Make sure to cover all weather possibilities, various social situations/activities and Purchasing an umbrella at your destination destinations. Have books on your tablet or MP3 player Choose a one-colour scheme, clothes that you can dress up or down, and that layer well Pack a disposable poncho together. Purchase a neck pillow Neutrals (black, beige, grey, navy and white) are your best choices. Put in one or two brightly coloured pieces to add variety. Pack Carefully

Choose only one heavy jacket and one heavy Consider purchasing packing cells which pair of shoes. keep loose fitting items together and separate clothes efficiently.

Tightly roll non-easily wrinkled clothes. Roll belts.

Pack your suitcase

Zip-lock anything that might leak.

Fill voids with socks and underwear or t-shirts.

Stuff your shoes with socks/jewellery and/or pack fragile objects in rolled non-easily wrinkled clothes or shoes.

Top of suitcase/bag – pack folded and easily-wrinkled clothes.

Middle of suitcase/bag - Rolled clothes.

Bottom of suitcase/bag (where wheels are) – pack heavy items such as shoes.

MOST OF ALL, ENJOY YOUR TRIP

64 65 66 THE AARON FOUNDATION

The Aaron foundation assists homeless or at risk youth and supports them to gain employment and re-entering society. It also is leading a literacy program in Ethiopia to combat poverty.

To get involved visit www.theaaronfoundation.org

Hashtag Oz recongizes he outstanding support of Beyond Blue, The Butterfly Foundation and The Aaron Foundation in supporting and promoting mental health in Australia.

If your orgnization supports and promotes mental health, contact us now at:

[email protected]

to find out how your organization’s contact details can be published with each issue of Hashtag Oz.

67 Get ready for TOMORROW

Imagine cars that open using facial recognition, drive using voice command, never have accidents, are connected to the world and run on clean renewable power.

THAT’S OUR FUTURE. WHAT’S YOURS?

haval.com.au